Lest we forget.<\/p>\n
But we are forgetting. As Nov. 11, Remembrance Day, is upon us for another year, we cannot help but reflect on the state of the world in 2025.<\/p>\n
Several generations of us still remember a time when Remembrance Day parades boasted a substantial contingent of veterans from the First World War, and veterans of the Second World War were aplenty.<\/p>\n
It seemed almost impossible to imagine a time in the future when these people who lived through these world-heaving events would not be here to tell us their stories — and their warnings.<\/p>\n
Now there are no remaining living veterans of the First World War, and the numbers of those who fought in the Second are dwindling at a rapid rate.<\/p>\n
At the same time, we are seeing a frightening rise in authoritarianism around the world. People seem to be increasingly drawn to political figures who promise easy solutions and charisma, and who blame their nation’s problems on whatever bogeyman is an easy target, whether that’s due to racism, homophobia, or other prejudice. Just so long as they can create an “other” that can be dehumanized and targeted.<\/p>\n
In truth, we haven’t seen the level of wealth inequality we’re experiencing today since the Gilded Age. It is not people’s imaginations that life is less affordable. This makes people angry and fearful.<\/p>\n
But instead of standing together, people look for someone else to blame. And would-be political leaders around the globe are stoking and harnessing these sentiments, if not creating them. History certainly echoes.<\/p>\n
It has gone so far that there are contingents in various countries twisting history to try to rehabilitate and recast the roles and reputations of the likes of Hitler and Stalin, from the villains they undoubtedly were, to simply misunderstood or even heroes.<\/p>\n
It is creeping from the fringes of the internet and whispers between like-minded friends into the mainstream of political discourse. No, for the record, these historical figures did not have some good ideas.<\/p>\n
It becomes increasingly easy for these bad actors to do this as we become further removed from that time in history, and the people who remember it are no longer with us.<\/p>\n
Which is why, aside from being a time for us to honour those who sacrificed so that we would not have to live under a fascist regime, Remembrance Day remains one of the most important days on the calendar.<\/p>\n
More than ever, we need the reminder of what can happen if we abandon empathy, sympathy and compassion for others. It needn’t be a violent coup that brings authoritarians to power. Many of the authoritarian figures currently in power worldwide were voted into office.<\/p>\n
We cannot afford apathy. And we cannot afford to forget.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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